We appear to have hit Peak Carbon, as close as we can figure with China being uncooperative with facts. As with the Roman Empire, the Decline and Fall necessarily starts at the absolute peak of reach and power. The peak might have been sometime last year or early this year. What counts is that it’s all downhill from here.
Carbon Brief
Analysis: Global CO2 emissions could peak as soon as 2023, IEA data reveals
Global carbon dioxide emissions from energy use and industry could peak as soon as this year, according to Carbon Brief analysis of figures
This is not to say that any of our problems with Global Warming are over, just that the main contributing cause is starting a slow decline, which will accelerate in the normal way over time. Denialism and Greenwashing are still strong, but declining. The world will increasingly see lower costs for energy, more green jobs, and less death and destruction from heat. At some point, the Oil and Gaslighting industry will lose enough political power so that we can cut subsidies, pass carbon taxes, and hold them and their corrupt allies accountable to the law.
The authors draw from emissions data to discuss 2023's potential as the start of a sustained, global decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Rystad Energy
Fossil fuel emissions to peak within two years as global decarbonization picks up steam
The inflection point for fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is nigh, with emissions on track to peak by 2025, according to Rystad Energy research and analysis. On the current global pathway of announced policies, projects, industry trends and expected technological advancements, global CO2 emissions are poised to hit about 39 gigatonnes per year (Gtpa) in 2025 before settling into a steady annual decline as industries clean up their carbon footprint.
Vox
Global deployment of solar and wind power, plus a surge in EV sales, means emissions from fossil-fuel-derived energy will finally hit the downward slope.
Slate
Biden’s Climate Report Card
We’re doing more than ever, and still not nearly enough.
We're post peak carbon, but not out of the woods.
It's not that we aren't making progress slowing our carbon and greenhouse gas emissions; it's just that we still may not be doing enough—fast enough—to avert catastrophe.
Which is to say that, although we aren’t all going to die, an awful lot is still going to go wrong. Storms, droughts, floods, fires, sea-level rise, melting glaciers, methane from melting permafrost, uninsurable buildings, and much more besides.
AAAAARGH!
I had a whole Diary ready, and it’s gone! Now I have to write it all over again.
Sorry, folks.
The Recovery
OK, I couldn’t recover everything, but I covered the main issue.